Engraving machine



H. B. )SCOTT El AL 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Dec. 18, 1934.

Filed Feb. 25, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 18, 1934. H. B, SCOTT r AL1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3 $1

their dtt q Dec. 18,1934. SCOTT r' 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 4 33 4 49 49/44 34 FIG. 5 55 I 34 33- I 35 30 329 a /49 l 57 3 I 5687 7 64 M8 FIG.1O45 gwuwntow Howard B, Scott B and ar War er Dec. 18, 1934. H, B, SCOTTET AL 1,984,552 ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 T Sheets-Sheet 6FIG. 15

B o gmzti Y an ar arne their 5M1;

Dec. 18, 1934. H, B, SCOTT r AL 1,984,552

ENGRAVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 MOTOR 3 gwwmtoa sB, ms W ar Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES 1&4552

PATEE QFHCE ENGRAVING MACHINE Application February 23, 1932, Serial No.594.562

13 Claims.

This invention relates to metal working machines, and more particularlyrelates to engraving machines and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an engraving machinecapable of engraving to be engraved, in a path substantially parallel tosaidsurfaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide an engraving machinewith novel means to index the work.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an engraving machinenovel means to transmit movement of a tracer or follower-pin to thecutting tool.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel means forsecuring, a master character plate in its carrier, and to adjust saidplate to the proper position after-it is so secured.

Another object is to provide an engraving machine with novel means toshift the cutting tool toward and away from the work under the controlof the master plate.

Still another object is to provide an engraving machine with novel meansto carry the tracer across the face of the master plate.

A further object is to provide a novel means to feed the master plate ina direction at right angle to the direction of movement of the tracer.

With these and incidental objects in view, the

invention includes certain novel features of construction andcombinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth inappended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which ishereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany andform a part of this specification. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one unit of the machine.

Fig. 2 is'a view-in front elevation of the unit shown in Fig. l. Aportion of the frame is shown broken away in this figure to show themethod of mounting the cutting tool spindle.

Fig. 3 is a View in. right elevation of the unit, part of the framebeing broken away, better to illustrate the structure.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 (Fig. 5), and illustratingthe work indexing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 (Fig. 2). This figureillustrates the manner of mounting the work carrier and the connectionbetween the work carrier and the master plate carrier.

Fig. 6 illustrates the method of removably securing the cutter spindlein the swinging frame.

Figs. '7 and 8 are views of a type wheel engraved by the machine of theinstant invention.

Fig. 9 is a top-plan view of one of the master plates.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View through the master plate taken on line 10-10(Fig. 9).

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the tracer pin carrier.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the device for withdrawing the tracer pinfrom contact with the master plate, and for withdrawing the cutting toolfrom cooperative relation with the work.

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the mechanism for coupling the tracercarrier to the drive bar.

Fig. 14. is a detail view of the means for pneumatically restoring themaster carrier to accessible position.

Fig. 15 is a top-plan view of the master plate carrier showing the meansfor adjusting and holding the master plate therein.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16---16 (Fig. 15).

Fig. 1'? is a sectional view taken on line 17-17 (Fig. 15).

Fig. 18 is a detail view of one of the master plate clamping nuts.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail view of the method of clamping the cutterspindle in its saddle.

Fig. 20 is a detail view of the pneumatically operated mechanism forfeeding the master carrier and work carrier.

Fig. 21 is a top-plan view in detail of the feed screw and the mechanismfor uncoupling the master carrier therefrom.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary view of the coupling nut and part of themechanism for operating said nut.

Fig. 23 is a top-plan view partly in section, illustrating the cutterspindle support saddle.

Fig. 24 is a detail view showing the ball tracer tip in section.

General description Described in general terms, the machine hereinillustrated includes a plurality of units mounted on a common base orbed plate, each of which units may include a tracer mounted between apair of swinging arms pivoted near the upper end of a standard. Thestandards, one for each unit, are mounted separately on the common base.Mechanism is provided to rock the swinging arms, causing the tracer foreach unit to traverse the master character or characters from end toend. The master characters are formed on plates removably held in acarrier adapted to be fed at the end of the stroke of the traversingmovement of the tracer by a feed screw. The master plate carrier is fedin one direction only, and at the end of its travel it escapes the feedscrew and is held at the limit of its travel until the attendantoperates a releasing lever, whereupon the master plate carrier is movedto the opposite end of its travel automatically.

A common driving means is provided for swinging the pairs of arms of theseveral units comprising the machine, but each of the units may bedriven independently, also, the swinging arms of each unit may beuncoupled individually from the common drive means.

The universal drive may include reciprocating bars, suitably connectedtogether, there being one bar for each unit of the machine. These barsare driven by a motor of suitable design, preferably a pneumatic motor,because of the ease with which said motor may be reversed. It is to beunderstood, however, that any suitable power device, such as an electricmotor, water motor, etc., may be used to drive the machine.

Each of the swinging arms carries a cutting spindle, each spindle beingrotated at high speed by an individual electric motor. These spindlemotors are mounted on the swinging arms in such a manner as to be easilyremoved for the purpose of grinding and repairing or replacing thecutting tool. Adjustable stops or locating points are provided to insureproper location of the cutters with respect to the work when saidcutters are replaced in the machine after they have been removedtherefrom for grinding or replacing the cutters.

The Work may assume a variety of forms, such as, plates, segments, ordisks, of metal or other suitable material. The work is supported on awork carrier, slidably mounted near the upper end of the standard. Thework carrier is connected to the master plate carrier and is fed inproportion to themovement of the master plate carrier to carry the workpast the cutters. The cutters are shiftable toward and away from thework,

under the control of the tracer pin to regulate the depth of the cut andthe surface shape of the character. Manually'operated means is providedto index the work after each character is engraved.

Various adjustments and controls are provided in the machine in order toproperly aline the elements of the machine and to control the operationthereof, all of which are described in detail in the followingspecification.

Frame work The main supporting frame of the illustrated embodiment ofthe present invention includes,

for each unit of the machine, a main standard 3O (Figs.1 to 5 inclusive,and mounted on a bed plate 31. These bed plates may be supported on acommon base 32. A rail 33 attached to the underside of a cap plate 34(Figs. 4 and 5), secured to and resting on top of thestandard slidablysupports a work carrier slide35 to which is attached a work carrier 36.I

The master plate carrier 37 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, l4 and 15) travels onrunways in the bed plate 31, and is guided in its movement by invertedL-shaped rails 38 secured to the bed plate 31. Means is provided, andwill be described later, to feed the master carrier step by step, onestep at the end of each stroke of the tracer swing.

The tracer swing 39 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 11) is suspended between thebifurcated lower ends of two channel arms 40 and 41, pivotally supportedbetween the pairs of brackets 42 and 43, the bracket 43 being secured tothe standard 30 and the bracket 42 being secured to the bracket 43. Asthe arms 40 and 41 swing, the tracer pin 44 carried in the tracer swing39 traverses the master character plate 45 clamped in the mastercarrier. 7

The cutter spindles are mounted in carriers in the upper ends of thearms 40 and 41, and move therewith, swinging the cutters verticallyacross the face of the work. At the same time the master plate carrier37 is fed, carrying the master plate 45 at right angles to the movementor" the tracer swing. The work carrier is coupled to the master carrierby a suitable coupling, to be described later, thus feeding the workgradually past the cutters in a horizontal direction. The cutting toolsmove toward and away from the work under the control of the tracer pinfollowing the contour of the master character plate, thus cuttingreplicas of the master character on opposite sides of thework. Themachine will now be described in detail.

Work carrier For illustrative purposes, the machine of the instantinvention is shown adapted to engrave characters on type wheels orcounter wheels. It is to be understood, however, that, by easilyeffected mechanical changes, the machine may be adapted for engravingany other articles of manufacture.

The work carrier 36, as set forth above, is secured to the carrier slide35. In order that the carrier may be accurately located on the slide 35a tongue on the carrier fits snugly into a groove in the slide 35. Inorder to prevent sidewise movement of the work carrier a block 46 (Figs.4 and 5) on the lower end of a downwardly extending arm 47of the slide35, travels in a horizontal groove in a guide bracket 48 secured to thefront side of the standard 30. The work must travel in a horizontal pathexactly parallel to the path of the master carrier. To maintain theproper adjustment between the slide 35 and cap 34 the rail 33 isprovidedwith adjusting screws 49 and thimbles to raise or lower either or bothends of the rails.

The type wheels to be engraved by the machine illustrated'herein arecarried on a work arbor 56 (Fig. 5) mounted in a spindle 57. Thisspindle is rotatably mounted in bushings 53 and 59 in the U-shapedcarrier 36. A spring 60 is pressed between a shoulder on the carrier 36and the inside wall of a spring cap 61 securely held on the righthandend (Fig. 5) of the spindle 57 by a nut 62.

The purpose of the spring 60 is to press a flange 63 on the opposite endof the spindle 57 snugly against the carrier 36 to maintain the work ortype wheels 64 in the proper location in respect to the cutting tools.The blank type wheel 64 to be engraved is slipped on over the left-handend (Fig. 5) of the arbor 56, and is seated against a plurality of studs65 projecting from the flange 63 on the spindle. The work arbor 56 isthreaded and a knurled retaining nut 66 is provided to hold the workfirmly in place. A stud (notshown) on the flange 63 isadapted to projectthrough a locating hole 67 (Fig. 7) in the type wheel to properlylocatethe wheel with reference to an index dial 68 (Figs. 2 and 5)secured on theflange 63. A notched bracket 69 secured to the carrier 36provides an index point through which the index of the character beingengraved may be seen.

After a character is completely engraved the work or type wheel isindexed manually to bring the next blank spaces opposite the cuttingtools. The indexing is accomplished by rocking a lever 70 (Figs. 1, 2and 3). This lever is secured on a short shaft 71 journaled in a pair ofbrackets 72 mounted on the-side of the standard 30. The lower arm of thelever '70 extends at an angle toward the front of the machine for theconvenience of the operator. The upper arm of the lever 70 is connectedby a rod 73 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) to an indexing arm 74 pivoted on thehub of a toothed index aliner disk 60 mounted on and keyed to thespindle 57. A lock nut 81 holds the toothed disk and the indexing arm 74in their proper positions on the spindle 57.

The parts are shown in their normal positions in Figs. 2 and 4.Referring to Fig. 4, it can be seen that the nose of a spring pressedlocking pawl 82 normally is held in one of the tooth spaces on the disk80 by a spring 79. The pawl 82 is pivoted on a stud 83 in the carrier36. The work spindle and the work are thus held against rotation whilethe engraving operation is in progress. When the engraving of thecharacter is com pleted, and before the work may be indexed, it isnecessary to rock the pawl 82 counter-clockwise to remove the nosethereon from engagement with the tooth disk 80. This is accomplished asfollows.

The arm 74 (Fig. 4) has a projection 84 thereon normally lying justbeneath a stud 85 projecting from the pawl 80. Clockwise movement of thelever '70 (Fig. 2) due to the connecting rod 73, rocks the arm 74 alsoclockwise. At this movement of the arm 74 the projection 84 acting onthe stud 85 rocks the pawl 82 counter-clockwise freeing the disk 80 andconsequently the work spindle for rotation.

At about the time the nose of the pawl 82 is free of the disk 70 aspring-pressed indexing pawl 86 (Fig. 4) pivotally carried on the arm 74engages a tooth on the disk 80 and rotates the work spindle assembly onestep to bring the next blank spaces on the type wheel into alinementwith the cutting tools. A spring-pressed retaining pawl 87 pivoted on astud '78 projecting from the carrier frame 86 cooperates with thetoothed disk 80 to prevent retrograde movement of the work spindle whenthe lever 70 and the arm 74 are restored to normal. As the arm 74 rockscounter-clockwise to normal, the projection 84 recedes from its stud 85,whereupon the spring '79 rocks the pawl 82 clockwise to enter the noseof said pawl into the proper tooth space of the disk 80.

The rocking movement of the lever 70 (Figs. 2 and 3) is limited by apair of stop screws 88 and 89 in the lever 90 fast on the shaft 71. Locknuts 91 are provided on the screw stops to hold said stops in theiradjusted positions.

The master plate carrier As set forth above, the master character plate45 (Figs. 1, 9, 10, 11 and 16) isclamped in the carrier 37 which is fedat each stroke of the tracer swing 39. The master plate carrier includesthe slide 37 adapted to travel from front to rear (Fig. 1) in the bedplate 31. The master plate is adapted to be clamped in a shallow channelon top of the slide 3'7, having a pair of guide bars 92 of hardenedsteel set one alongside each edge of the channel and secured to theslide 37.

The means for clamping the master plate in the carrier 37 includes ascrew 93 (Fig. 15) provided with a right-hand thread 94 and a lefthandthread 95. The screw 93 is rotatably mounted in a rear cross bar 96 (seealso Fig. 14) and in a tubular adjusting screw 97. This ad justing screwis mounted in a bearing 98 secured to the forward end of the carrier 37.Two master plate clamp nuts and 106 are provided, one, 105, beingslidable in the carrier, and cooperating with the right-hand screw 94.The clamp nut 105 extends downwardly through a narrow slot in thecarrier 37, and has secured to its bottom a guide plate 104 (Fig. 17).This plate being somewhat wider than the narrow slot through which thelower end of the clamp nut 105 projecits, prevents any upward movementof the nu The screw 93 is held in its proper relation to the screw 97 bya flange 99 integral with the screw 93, and by an operating handle 107secured to the outer end of the screw 93. The other clamp nut 106cooperates with the left-hand screw 95. Rotation of the screw 93 in onedirection draws the clamp nuts 105 and 106 together, and rotation ofsaid screw in the opposite direction separates the clamp nuts.

In order to rotate the screw 93 to operate the clamp nuts, the crank107, described above, is secured on the outer end of the screw. By rotating this crank clockwise (Figs. 1 and 2) the clamping nuts 105 and106 (Fig. 15) are drawn together to clamp the master plates securelytherebetween. When it is desired to remove the master plate, the crank107 is rotated counterclockwise (Figs. 1 and 2), thereby separating theclamping nuts 105 and 106, releasing the plate, which now may be removedmanually.

The location of the master plate in the carrier 3'7 bears a certainrelation to the location of the type wheel with respect to the cuttingtools. For example, if the master plate is set too forward in itscarrier, by the time the master character is fed back to the tracer thetype wheel is fed past the cutting tool. Also, if the character islocated too far back in its carrier 37 it will be'fed past the tracerbefore the type wheel reaches the cutter. It is therefore necessary toaccurately locate the character plate in the carrier 37, in order thatthe image may be engraved in the proper position on the type wheel.

This adjustment is effected by rotating the screw 97, this screw beingprovided with a hand wheel 108 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 15) secured to theouter edge thereof. A knurled locking screw 109 mounted in the bearings98 is provided to lock the screw 97 in its adjusted position. A mastercharacter plate is first placed in position by placing it in the channelbetween the bars 92 and sliding the plate toward the rear until itstrikes the nut 105, the plate passing above the nut 106, which isshaped as illustrated in Fig. 18. The purpose of so constructing the nut106 is that by rotating said nut to the position in which it isindicated by full lines in Fig. 16, the master plate 45 may be insertedin the carrier above the nut. After the master plate is in position thenut 106 may be rotated manually clockwise to the position shown by dotand dash lines in Fig. 16. The crank 107 is now operated to rotate thescrew 93 clockwise, drawing the nuts 105 and 106 together to clamp theplate in position.

If, when the plate is thus clamped securely between the nuts 105 and106, it is not in the proper position relative to the tracer pin, theset screw 109 is released and the wheel 108 is rotated in eitherdirection, shifting the screw 93 and consequently the nuts 105 and 106,and the master character plate 45 until said plate is in properposition. The set screw 109 is then tightened to prevent furtherrotation of the'screw 97,. thus holding the character plate in properposition.

The position of the master plate, once located for a given character,may be located by a suitable mark, as indicated at 103 (Fig. 15) on anadjacent part of the carrier 37. A suitable gauge, such as 104, may beseated over the screw 93 and against the flange 99, so that when thescrew 97 is rotated, a pointer on the gauge 104, when alined with acertain one of the marks 103, indicates that the master character is inits proper position.

A clamp nut stop bar 110 secured horizontally in the carrier 37 limitsthe rotation of the clamp nut 106 in either direction.

When it is desired to remove the master plate 45 the operator rotatesthe crank 107 counterclockwise, separating the clamp nuts 105 and 106,thus freeing the plate. The nut 106 is then rotated-counter-clockwise tothe position shown by full lines in Fig. 16, whereupon the plate 45 maybe slid forwardly and removed from the carrier. Another master plate maynow be inserted to control the engraving of the next character.

Master carrier feed mechanism It was stated above that the mastercarrier is fed one step toward the rear of the machine at the end ofeach stroke of the tracer swing 39 to carry the master plate beneath thetracer pin 44. The

means for feeding the master carrier 37 includes a pneumatic cylinder111 (Figs. 3, 15 and 20) mounted on a bracket 112 conveniently securedto the back of the bed plate 31. The cylinder 111 is provided with caps113, one at each end thereof, each cap having an air vent thereinconnected by pipes 114 to a suitable source of air under pressure.

A piston 115 (Fig. 20) is provided in the cylinder, which piston isadapted to reciprocate in the cylinder as air is admitted to thecylinder alternately through the pipes 114.

The reciprocating movement of the piston 115 is utilized to rotate, stepby step, a feed, screw 116, rotatably mounted in the bed plate 31, inthe following described manner:

A floating lever 117, pivotally comiected near its middle in the yokedend of a link 113 and l1aving its other end pivotally supported on abracket 112, has its upper end pivoted to the piston 115. The lower endof the lever 117 pivotally carries the right-handends of a pair of links119 and 120. The opposite ends of these links are pivoted respectivelyto arms 121 and 122 mounted on the hub of a ratchet 123 keyed to thefeed screw 116. A'nut 125 (Fig. 25) on the end of the screw 116 holdsthe ratchet 123 and the arms 121 and 122 in place. A spring pressed pawl124 is'mounted at the point of connection of the link 119 and the arm121. A similar pawl is carried on the connection between the link 120and the arm 122.

In Fig. 20 the piston 115 is shown centered in the cylinder 111. Thepiston, however, assumes this position only before a new machine hasbeen operated. After the machine is once operated the piston 115 willcome to rest in one end or the other of the cylinder 111. Let it beassumed that the piston is in the left-hand end of the cylinder, asviewed in Fig. 20, at the beginning of an engraving operation. At theend of the first stroke of the tracer swing 39 air is admitted throughthe left-hand pipe 114, which air expands and forces the piston into theright-hand end of the cylinder. This movement of the piston rocks thelever 11''! clockwise, thrusting the links 119 and 120 toward the left,and rocking the arm 121 counter-clockwise to retract the pawl 124. Theleftward movement of the link 120 rocks the arm 122 clockwise and thepawl 130 rotates the ratchet 123 and the feed screw 115 in the samedirection. At the end of the next stroke of the tracer swing 39 thevalve (not shown) is opened automatically, admitting air to the cylinder111 through the right-hand one of the pipes 114, whereupon the piston115 is thrust toward the left rocking the lever 117 counter-clockwise.This draws the links 119 and 120 toward the right in which case the arm121 rocks clockwise and the pawl 124 rotates the ratchet 123 and feedscrew 116. The arm 122 rocks counter-clockwise, retracting the pawl 130.

nection is formed by a feed nut 131 (Figs. 5, l5,

21 and 22) embracing substantially one-half the circumference of thescrew 116. The nut 131 has a T-shaped projection 132 thereon, embracedby a pair of horizontal rails 133 (Figs. 3 and 14) on the rear of thecarrier 37, the projection 132 being adapted to slide horizontally inthe rails to bring the nuts into or out of cooperative relation with thescrew 115.

The nut 131 is slid in its rails manually by manipulating a handle 134secured on the forward end of a shaft 135 mounted in the carrier 37. Alink 136 (Figs. 21 and 22) connects a bifurcated arm 137 fast on theother end of the shaft 135 to the feed nut 131. Obviously, when thehandle 134 is rocked counter-clockwise (Figs. 1 and 2) rocking the shaft135 and the arm 137 in the same direction, the link 136, andconsequently the nut 131, are drawn toward the left (Fig. 21)disengaging the nut 131 from the feed screw 116.

The master plate carrier 37 is now free to be slid in the bed plate 31independently of the feed screw 116. As soon as the proper mastercharacter plate has been placed in position in the carrier 37 the handle134 may be rocked clockwise to reengage the nut 131 with the screw 116,whereupon the carrier 37 immediately commences its rearward step-by-steptravel past the tracer pin.

When the nut 131 and the carrier 37 have been fed to the limit of theirrearward travel, the nut 131 escapes the rear end of the thread on thescrew 116, and is held at an unthreaded, reduced section 138 of thescrew 116 until such time as the handle 134 is operated to withdraw thenut 131 toward the left (Fig. 20) free of the screw 116. When thisoccurs the master carrier is returned to its outer positionpneumatically in the following described manner.

A cylinder 139 (Fig. 14) mounted on a bracket 140 secured to theunderside of the bed plate 31 receives compressed air through a vent inthe til is 12 t 1.

" one-twelfth the distance.

bracket, the vent being connected to an-air pipe 141. A piston rod 142having a piston 143 secured thereon is connected. to a bracket 144secured to the underside of and extending downwardly from the masterplate carrier 37. 7

As the carrier is fed toward the right (Fig. 14) the piston 143 isthrust into the cylinder 139, forcing the air in the cylinder back intothe pipe 141 until such time as the nut 131 (Fig. 26) escapes the threadon'the screw 116. When the operator turns the handle 134counter-clockwise, freeing the nut 131 from the screw 116, thecompressed air acting on the piston 143 moves the carrier 37 quicklytoward the front of the ma chine where the character plate is accessibleto the operator. 1

As the carrier 37 approaches the limit of its leftward travel (Fig. 14)a spring 126 is compressed between the piston 143 and the cylinder cap127, thus absorbing the shock of arresting the movement of the mastercarrier.

Wo rk carrier feed mechanism The work carrier 36 (Fig. is connected tothe master plate carrier 37 to feed the work past the cutting tool inproportion to the distance the master plate is fed past the tracer pin.The proportion or ratio of movement of the master carrier to themovement of the work carrier The movement of the work carrier iseffected by a lever 145 (Fig. 5) pivotally supported at its upper end ona stud 146 in the cap plate 34. A link 147 (Fig. 5) yoked to embrace thelever 145 connects the lower end of said J lever to a bracket 148secured to the top of the master carrier 37. A link 149 also yoked toembrace the lever 145, connects the lever with the work carrier 36. Thedistance of the point of connection of the link 149 and the lever 145from the pivot stud 146 in the lever 145 is one-twelfth of the distancebetween the point of connection of the link 147 and the lever 145 andthe pivot stud 146, hence when the master plate carrier 37 moves a givendistance the work carrier 36 moves A spring 128 compressed between'theprojection 150 on the work carrier 36 and a bracket 129 secured to thestandard 30 is provided to absorb any lost motion existing or developingbetween the lever 145 and the links 147 and 149, or between said linksand the master carrier and work carrier, respectively.

Tracer pin swing The tracer pin 44 (Fig. 11) is slidably mounted in aflanged sleeve 163 clamped securely to the swing 39 by two brackets 164and 165 secured to the swing 39 by screws. The swing 39 is pivctallymounted on studs 155 and 156 in the forked lower end of the swingingarms 40 and 41 respectively.

As the arms 40 and 41 are operated the swing 39 is moved therewith in aslightly arcuate path. The arms 49 and 41 and the tracer swing 39 travelin a vertical plane, being guided in their travel by projecting bars 157and 158 extending horizontally to the left and right (Fig. 2) of the 157and 158 project through swing 39. The bars channels in uprights 159 and160 (Figs. 1) on the leftand right-hand ends, respectively of the bedplate 31. Cap plates 161 and 162 secured to the uprights 159 and 160retain the bars 157 and 153 in their respective channels and assist inguiding the tracer swing 39 in its travel. Thechannels through whichthebars 157. and 158 excarry the cutting tend are slightly larger thantheir respective bars in the vertical direction to permit slightvertical movement of the swing 39 due to the arcuate path of the lowerends of the arms 40 and 41 and the swing. These channels, however, donot permit movement of the bars 157 and 158 at right angles to the pathof travel of the swing 39.

A conical tracer tip 176 (Fig. 24) having a hardened steel ball 175rotatably mounted in its apex is removably secured in the lower end ofthe tracer pin 44 to reduce the friction and wear thereon due to thetracer pin traversing the contours of the master character. As thetracer pin 44 is carried over the master plate, following the contour ofthe master character, the pin 44 moves up and down with a reciprocatingmovement in the sleeve 163. This movement, as will be described later,is transmitted to both of the cutting tools to move said tools towardand away from the Work in order to cut away the surplus metal, thusforming a raised figure or character.

' It was set forth above how, when the master carrier 37 is fed to thelimit of its rearward travel, it is released manually from the feedscrew 116 and automatically restored to its forward position. Thismovement is quite rapid, and if the tracer pin were permitted to comeinto contact with the master character, due to the inability of thetracer pin to follow the receding side of the character at high speed,and due to slight lost motion in the mechanism for transmitting themotion of the tracer pin to the cutters, said cutters would lag to acertain degree, thus cutting into the character already engraved. Toprevent this it is necessary to raise the tracer pin 44 above the mastercharacter which automatically pulls the cutting tool clear of the work.The master carrier 37 may then be released and returned to itsaccessible position without mutilating the engraved character.

The pin 44 is raised in its sleeve 163 by turning a handle 166 (Figs. 1,2, 11 and 12) fast on a short shaft 167 rotatably mounted in a bushing168 in the bracket 164. A collar 169 integral with the inner end of theshaft 167 is slightly larger in diameter than the bushing 163, thusholding the shaft in place. A somewhat smaller collar 170 on the shaft167 fits snugly within a recess in the sleeve 163 and carries projection171 extending into an elongated recess 172 in the tracer pin 44. Theprojection 171 is mounted eccentrically on the collar 170; consequentlywhen the shaft 167 is rotated through the medium of the handle 166 theprojection 171 comes into contact with the upper wall in the recess 172and draws the tracer pin 44 upwardly until it clears the mastercharacter. This movement of the pin 44, through the train of mechanismto be described later, is transmitted to the cutting tools, withdrawingthese tools clear of the work. As soon as the work has been indexed andthe appropriate master character placedin the carrier 37, the tracer pin44 is lowered to working position by turning the handle 166 to theposition shown in Figs. 7 and 12. This movement of the tracer pin istransmitted to the cutting tools, shifting said tools to their workingpositions.

The swinging support arms The swinging support arms 40 and 41, inaddition to supporting the tracer pin swing 39, also tools and theirdriving motor. The upper ends of the arms 40 and 41 are widened to formcradles in which the cutter units are removably mounted. The cradledends of the V in the saddle rings 182 arms have trunnion studs 173 (Fig.23) 'mounted therein, each stud 173 being mounted tightly in a bushing174 pressed into the arm. Ball bearings (Fig. 3) mounted in the brackets42 rotatably support the outer trunnion studs 173. The brackets 42 aresecured to the brackets 43, as set forth above, which, in turn aresecured to the standard 30. Ball bearings 180 mounted in the brackets 43(Fig. 23) rotatably support the inner trunnion studs 173 side of thecradles formed by the upper ends of the arms 40, and 41. These arms,therefore, swing freely, their respective trunnion studs 173 rotating onthe associated bearings 180. Bearing caps 181 secured to the brackets 42and 43 cover the bearings 180.

The inner; ends of; the trunnion studs 173 project into a spindle saddlecomprising a pair of rings 182 and 1 83;joi ned by sidebars 184 and 185(Fig. 23), forming pintles whereby the saddle and the cutter spindlesand driving motors for the cutting tools may be adjusted.

The cutting tools 186 and 187 are mounted in collets 188 attached to theends of spindles 1-89 rotatably mounted in tubes 190 clamped in sleeves191 mounted in the spindle saddle. The spindles are coupled directly to.the armature shafts (not shown) of driving motors 192;. Guards 179secured to the brackets 42 and 43 keep flying chips of metal out of themechanism. The cutting tools are mounted opposite to and facing eachother and are adapted to simultaneously cut identical characters onopposite sides of the type wheels 64.

The cutting tool, spindle, and driving motor, form a unit removably andadjustably mounted in the cradle-like upper end of the arm 40. A similarunit is mounted in the arm 41. Since the two cutter units are identicalexcept that they are reversed, only one will be described. This unit ismounted in the arm 40 (Fig. 2) and is best shown in detail in Figs. 2and 23.

Bushings 193 are set in the ring 182 of the motor saddle to formbearings whereby the motor and cutter assembly may be rotatedv on thetrunnion studs 173 independently of the swinging arm 40.

The motor is placed in the machine by inserting the tube 190 in thespindle sleeve 191 mounted and 183 until a stop stud 194 projecting fromthe motor casing strikes the head of an adjustable locating screw 195secured in a spindle clamp ring 196 surrounding the sleeve 191. Alocknut 197 is provided to hold the locating screw 195 in the positionto which it is adjusted. The clamp ring 196 is located on the sleeve 191and is held in location by a tapered pin 198 (Fig. 6).

After the motor and cutter assembly is placed in thesleeve 191 it isclamped securely therein by rotating a clamp screw 199. This screw has aright-hand thread 205 cooperating with a clamp nut 206, and a left-handthread 207 cooperating with a clamp nut 208. The upper left-hand cornerof the-nut 206 and the upper right-hand corner of the nut 208 arebeveled to conform to the circumference of the tube 190. A hand wheel209 is secured to the outer end of the screw 199 to form a convenientmeans for rotating said screw. 7

Obviously, when the screw 199 is rotated in one direction, the nuts 206and 208 are separated and release the tube 190 which is now free to beremoved from the machine. Rotation of the screw. 199 in the oppositedirection draws the mounted on the inner nuts together and clamps thetube 190 securely in place.

In order that the nuts 206 and 208 may not rotate with the screw, due tofriction, a longitudinal groove 210 (Fig. 19) is provided in the side ofeach of the nuts. Pins 211 in the clamp rings 196 project into thegroove 210 to permit longitudinal movement of the nuts 206 and 208,while at the same time rotation of the said nuts with the screw isprevented.

The cutter "units, as set forth above, are rotatably mounted on; thetrunnion studs 173. for the purpose of lining theeutters 186 and 187with they center of the type, wheels 64. Normally the lower edge of thesaddle is secured against movement by a nut 212 (Figs. 2 and 23) on abolt projecting from the ring 183 through an elongated slot in the;cradle in, the upper end of the arm 40;. Whenit is, desired to rotatethe saddla and consequently the cutter spindle, the nut 212 first isloosened. A lock nut 215 on an adjusting screw 213 in a crossbar 214carried between the sides of the arm 40 is also loosened. The cutterspindle may then be rotated about the trunnion by turning the adjustingscrew 213. When the proper adjustment has been. made the lock nut 215 istightened, which locks the screw 213 in position. The nut 212 is thentightened, thus securing the spindle saddle firmly in the arm 40.

Means to transmit the movement of the tracer pin to the cutter tools Thevertical movement of the tracer pin 44, occasioned by said pin,traversing the contours of the master character, is transmitted to thecutting tools to move them horizontally toward and away from the typewheel. Upward movement of the tracer pin 44 moves the cutters away fromthe type Wheel, and downward movement of the tracer pin moves the cuttertoward the wheel. Since the mechanism for transmitting movement to thecutters is identicalfor both outters, but one set of mechanism will bedescribed.

Referring to Fig. 11 it may be seen that oppositely mounted rockinglevers 216 and 217 are pivotally supported between projecting ears 218on a tracer swing 39. The inner ends of the levers 2'16 and 217- arerounded and normally rest on the upper edge of the tracer pin 44. Theouter arm of the lever 216 is connected by a rod 219 (see also Fig. 2)to one arm. of a bell crank 220 pivoted on a stud 221 supported betweenthe sides of the channel arm 40. The other arm of the bell crank220.carries a segment 222 meshing with a segment carried on one arm of alever 224 pivoted on a stud 230 supported between the sides of the arm40. The end of the upper arm of the lever 224 is rounded and cooperateswith having their lower ends attached to the sides of the channel arms40 and their upper ends coupled by spring hooks 232, one for each of apair of bell cranks 233pivotally supported on a stud 234 in the arm 40.The other arms of the bell crank 233 have secured between them an armof" which is rounded and pressed against the left-hand side of the ring196, thus moving the right-hand side of said ring against the upper endof the lever 224. This tends to rock this lever 224 clockwise aboutrespective .arms 40 and 41.

movement of the cutter spindle assembly and of the cutter 186 toward thetype wheel, thus controlling the depth of the out.

As the tracer pin 44 traverses the master character, it reciprocatesvertically in its sleeve 163 according to the configuration of themaster character. The upward movement of the tracer pin rocks the lever216 counter-clockwise, lowering the rod 219, which rocks the bell crank220 clockwise. This movement is transmitted to the lever 224 by. thesegments 222 and 223, rocking said lever 224 counter-clockwise towithdraw the cutter 136 from the type wheel 64 a distance proportionateto the upward movement of the tracer pin 44. The ratio of areciprocatory movement of the tracer pin 44 to the movement of thecutter toward and away from the work is 3 to 1, thus cutting a figure onthe type wheel one-third the height of the master character.

The movement of the spindle unit toward the left or away from the work,rocks the arm 235 and the bell crank ccunter clockwise placingadditional tension on the spring 231. As soon as the tracer pin, intraversing the master character,

5 rides oil the crest of the character, the spring 231 rocks the bellcrank 233 of the arm 235 clockwise, again pressing the cutter toward thework and rocking the lever 224 clockwise until the upper arm thereofstrikes the stop screw 236. This rocks the bell crank 220counter-clockwise, raises the rod 219 and rocks the lever 216 clockwiseto thrust the tracer pin downwardly under the control of the mastercharacter.

The movement of the tracer pin, the cutter unit, and the mechanismcoupling the tracer pin and the cutter mechanism, is quite rapid, and inorder to stabilize the tracer pin 44 and to prevent undue friction ofthe tracer tip 176 against the side of the master character, acomparatively weak spring 238 (Figs. 2 and 11) is coiled about thesleeve 163 between a stud 239 in the tracer pin 44 and a flange on thesleeve 163. The tension of the spring 236 is equal approximately to theweight of the tracer pin, thus merely holding said pin elevated with itstop touching the ends of the levers 216 and 217. As was set forth above,clockwise movement of the arm 224 (Fig. 2) is limited by the stop screw236. This likewise limits the movement of the bell crank 220 and of therod 219, thus limiting the clockwise movement of the lever 216.Counter-clockwise movement of the lever 217 is similarly limited. Whenthe lever 224 thus rests against the stop screw 236, the

spring 238 holds the tracer pin 44 in its raised.

position with the top of the pin just touching the rounded ends of thearms 216 and 217. In this condition a slight clearance exists betweenthe tracer ball 175 (Figs. 24 and 12) and the body of the mastercharacter plate. The object of this clearance is to prevent the tracerpin from dragging on the master plate. It is obvious, therefore, that asthe tracer pin traverses the master character, and as the mastercharacter is fed beneath the tracer, the only parts of the mastercharacter with which the ball 175 comes into contact are the slopingsides and the narrow flat crest of the character. The depth of cut ofthe work is regulated by the stop screw 236 (Fig. 2) and the height ofthe cut is regulated by the height of the master character.

It was set forth above that, due to the arcuate movement of the arms 40and 41, the tracer swing 39 travels in a slightly arcuate path. Also,the cutter spindles swing in an arc with their However, it is desirablethat the tracer tip 176 (Figs. 11 and 12) in the tracer pin 44 travelsas nearly as possible in a path parallel to the master plate. It isequally desirable that the cutting tools travel in a plane parallel withthe vertical center-line of the type line. One of the novel features ofthe instant invention is the accomplishment of this parallel movement.

It will be recalled that the levers 216 and 217 are pivotally supportedon the tracer swing 39. This swing takes the arcuate movement of thepivot point of the studs and 156. Consequently the path of travel of thepivot points or" the levers 216 and 217 will be in a radius equal to thepath of travel of the studs 155 and 156. It is seen, therefore, that thepivots for the levers 216 and 217 travel a greater distance than theadjacent points of the arms 40 and 41. It is this differential ofmovement of the arms 40 and 41, and of the linkage 216, 219, 220 and224, which transmits the vertical movement of the tracer pin cutters,that effects the parallel path of travel of the cutters and or" thetracer pins.

suitable power device, such as an electric motor,

a water motor, or a pneumatic motor, the latter being preferred becauseof the ease and quickness with which it may be reversed. The drivingmotor is not disclosed herein, but is adapted to rotate'a gear 245(Fig. 1) meshing with a rack 246 coupled to one end of a drive bar 247slidably mounted in channels in the uprights 159 and 160 on the bedplate 31. Cap plates 248 and 249 retain the drive bar in its channels.As the gear 245 rotates, it draws the rack 246 toward the right or left,depending upon the direction of rotation of the gear. As the drive bar247 approaches the limit of its travel, mechanism (not shown) isoperated to reverse the drive motor, and consequently the direction ofmovement or" the bar 247.

Means is provided whereby the tracer swing 39 may be easily and quicklycoupled to and uncoupled from the drive bar 247. The coupling includes apin 255 (Figs. 1 and 13) slidably supported in bushings 256 and 257pressed into the ends of a tubular bearing 258 integral with the tracerswing 39. A handle 259 secured to the outer end of the coupling pin 255forms a convenient means to manually withdraw the pin from a verticalelongated slot in the drive bar 247, against the tension of a spring 260compressed between the bushing 256 and a washer 261, the pin 255 beingshouldered to receive said washer. When the pin 255 is drawn all the wayout of the slot in the drive bar 247, a stud 262 normally resting in aslot 263 in the bushing 256 clears said bushing, whereupon the pin 255may be rotated in either direction until the stud 262 is out of linewith the slot 263. The stud 262 now retains the pin 255 withdrawn fromthe slot in the drive bar 247. It is to be understood that a separatedrive bar 247 is provided for each of the several units mounted on thecommon base 32. These drive bars are coupled together by racks 246, andall of said bars are reciprocated simultaneously by the common drivemotor. By the above described movement the tracer pin swing 39 for all,or any one of the units, may be uncoupled from its associated drive bar.

Operation been completely engraved on the machine, and that there is nowheel on the arbor 56. Likewise, the master character plate 45 has beenremoved from the master carrier 37.

The operator first selects a blank type wheel and places it on the arbor56, securing it thereon by the lock nut 66. The type wheel is thenindexed to bring the proper blank spaces on which to engrave the firstcharacter opposite the cutters. The first master character plate is thenplaced in position between the clamp nuts 105 and 106 (Fig. 15) andclamped in position by rotating the crank 107, thus turning the screw93. The master plate is brought to the correct position relative tothetracer pin byreleasing the set screw 109 and rotating the hand wheel 108in the proper direction.

As soon as the master plate is in position the handle 166, which handlewas rotated counterclockwise to raise the tracer finger 44 at the end ofthe last engraving operation, is now rotated clockwise to lower thetracer pin into cooperative relation with the master character. The handwheel or knob 259 (Figs. 1 and 13) is now rotated to bring the stud 262on the coupler pin 255 into register with the slot 263, whereupon thespring 260 presses the inner end of the coupler pin against the side ofthe drive bar 247, which bar, it will be remembered, is continuouslyreciprocated. When the slot in the bar 247 comes opposite the pin 255,the spring 260 thrusts the end of the pin into the slot, thus couplingthe tracer swing to the drive bar.

The tracer swing 39 and the arms 40 and 41 now start to swing and theoperator now rotates the handle 134 clockwise from the position in whichit is shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 to bring the feednut 131 into mesh with the feed screw 116, whereupon the master carrier37 commences its step-by-step journey toward the rear of the machine,carrying the master plate 45 beneath the oscillating tracer pin 44.

This movement, as set forth above, due to the leverage 145, 147 and 149,also moves the work carrier slide 35 in the same direction to carry thetype wheel 64 past the rapidly rotating cutters, the cutters being atthe same time moved toward and away from the work under the influence ofthe tracer pin traversing the master character. The arms 40 and 41likewise move the cutting tools vertically across the faces of the typewheel.

At the end of the operation the handle 166-is operated simultaneously toraise the tracer pin clear of the master character and to withdraw thecutters from the work. The handle 134 is rotated to unlatch the nut 131from the feed screw 116, the master carrier being immediately thrusttoward the front of the machine pneumatically. A new master plate isinserted in the proper place, the type wheel is indexed, and the machineagain is set in operation, as set forth above.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form orembodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment invarious forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate, a tracer, opposed cutters, automatic means to shift the tracer ina path of travel across the face of the master plate, means to feed themaster plate past the tracer in a path substantially at right angles tothe first mentioned path, and means to transmit the movement of thetracer to the opposed cutters.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate, a tracer, opposed cutters, a work carrier, means to shift thetracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means tofeed the master plate past the tracer in a path substantially at rightangles to the'first mentioned path, means to transmit the movement ofthe tracer to the opposed cutters, and means to transmit the movement ofthe master plate to the work carrier.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair ofswinging supports, a tracer swing carried between the supports, means todrive the tracer swing and the supports, and means to disconnect thetracer swing from the drive means.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mastercharacter plate, a pair of swinging supports, a swing carried betweenthe supports, a tracer mounted in the swing said tracer being adapted tomove vertically relative to the swing, means to cause the tracer totraverse the master character, and means to feed the master characterstep by step past the tracer.

5. Ina machine of the class described, the combination of a mastercharacter plate, a pair of swinging supports, a swing carried betweenthe supports, a tracer mounted in said swing said tracer being adaptedto move vertically relative to the swing, means to actuate the swing tocause the tracer to traverse the master character, means to feed themaster character step by step past the tracer horizontally and in a pathof travel substantially at right angles to the path of travel of thetracer, and means to render the feed means ineffective.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mastercharacter plate; a tracer adapted to traverse the master character, acarrier for the master plate; means to feed the carrier to carry themaster plate step by step past the tracer, means to arrest the movementof the carrier at the limit of its feed travel, means to disconnect thecarrier from the automatic means to restore the carrier to the oppositelimit of its travel at one movement.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of .a masterplate, a carrier for said plate,

a pair of clamp nuts, a screw cooperating with said nuts, means torotate the screw to draw the nuts together to clamp the plate in thecarrier, and a rotatable tubular screw surrounding the first mention-edscrew to move said first mentioned screw together with the master plateaxially relative to the carrier.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate carrier, a rotatable screw to feed the carrier, means to rotatethe screw, means slidably mounted on the carrier to couple the carrierto the screw, and means to withdraw the coupling means fromcooperativerelation with said screw.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate carrier, a rotatable screw to feed the carrier, means to rotatethe screw, means slidably mounted by the carrier to couple the carrierto the feed screw, means to withdraw the coupling .meansfrom cooperativefeed means, and

relation with the screw, and automatic means to move the carrier in theopposite direction.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate, a tracer, opposed cutters, a work carrier, means to shift thetracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means tofeed the master plate past the tracer in a path sumtantially at rightangles to the first mentioned path, means to transmit the movement ofthe master plate to the work carrier, and means to move the opposedcutters in opposite directions and at substantially right angles to themovement of the work carrier to cut identical characters on oppositesides of an article of manuiacture.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate, a tracer, opposed cutters, a work carrier, means to shift thetracer in a path of travel across the face of the master plate, means tofeed the master plate past the tracer in a path substantially at rightangles to the first mentioned path, means intermediate the master platefeeding means and the work carrier to move the latter in a horizontaldirection past the opposed cutters, means carried by the tracer shiftingmeans and intermediate the latter and the opposed cutters for movingsaid cutters vertically but in opposite directions to each other to cutidentical characters on opposite sides of an article of manufacture.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a masterplate; a tracer; opposed cutters; a work carrier; oscillating supportingmeans for the work cutters; means to shift the tracer in a path oftravel across the face of the master plate; means to feed the masterplate past the tracer in a path substantially at right angles to thefirst mentioned path; said oscillating supporting means for the opposedcutters being connected to the shifting means for the tracer, to causethe oscillating supporting means to move the opposed cutters in oppositedirections past the work carried by the work carrier as the latter isbeing moved substantially at right angles thereto; pivotally mountedmembers carried by the tracer shifting means; and compensating means forthe opposed cutters to cause the latter to move in substantiallyperpendicular paths of movement past the work carried by the workcarrier as the opposed cutters are being oscillated around the pivotalpoint of their supports.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pair ofswinging supports, oppositely opposed cutters carried by said supports,a tracer swing carried between said supports, a master plate, a tracercarried by said swing and adapted to cooperate with the master plate,and means controlled by the tracer to control the horizontal movement ofthe opposed cutters during the time they are being oscillated by theswinging support to compensate for the arcuate movement of the points ofthe cutters, thus causing them to always travel in substantiallyvertical paths.

HOWARD B. SCOTT. EDGAR WARNER.

